Peter Schidlof

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Peter Schidlof (July 9, 1922 - 1987) was an Austrian-British violist and co-founder of the world-renowned Amadeus Quartet.

Born in Vienna, Schidlof fled Austria for England following the Nazi Anschluss in 1938. On account of his musical prowess, he won a scholarship to Blundell's School in Devon, but when World War II broke out in September 1939, he suddenly became an enemy alien. It was while he was interned that he first met Norbert Brainin and Siegmund Nissel. After years of internment, like Brainin and Nissel, Schidlof became a pupil of Max Rostal, and it was Rostal who became the mentor of the Amadeus and persuaded Schidlof, who had been a violinist, to become a viola player. With Martin Lovett as cellist, the Amadeus gave their first concert at the Wigmore Hall in 1948. Nobody could have known in 1948 the enormous success the Quartet would soon have, although it was already clear how exceptionally gifted they were. It is difficult to assess Schidlof’s separate contribution to the Amadeus, so much were the four a team, but his nickname "Eagle ears" shows just how insistent he always was on technical accuracy. Then undoubtedly, his calm, questing manner and his close knowledge of a wide range of music outside the chamber music repertory, combined with his cultivated and kind manner as a person, were an important part of the quartet's alchemy.

As for his playing itself, it was unfailingly warm, sensitive and rich in tone. That was also clear in his solo playing away from the Amadeus. Brainin and he often came together for Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante. Schidlof was also a welcome soloist on many occasions in Harold in Italy, where he characterised the solo part with a keen sense of Berliozian romanticism. He was always ready and willing to tackle contemporary work, and gave several premieres.

The group gave its first performance as the Amadeus Quartet in London on Jan. 10, 1948. Touring extensively, the Amadeus performed throughout Europe, Canada, the United States, Japan, and South America. Noted for its smooth, sophisticated style, its seamless ensemble playing, and its sensitive interpretation, the quartet made some 200 recordings, among them the complete quartets of Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, and W.A. Mozart. Though they emphasized a standard Classical and Romantic repertory, they also performed works by such 20th-century composers as Bela Bartók and Benjamin Britten (who wrote his third quartet expressly for them). The group disbanded upon the death of Schidlof in 1987.

He played for many years on the "MacDonald" Stradivarius of 1701 as well as owning fine examples by Testore and Bergonzi.

The Amadeus was one of the most celebrated quartets of the 20th century, and its members were awarded numerous honors, including:

• The Order of the British Empire, presented by the Queen.

• Doctorates from the Universities of London, York, and Caracas.

• The highest of all German awards, the Grand Cross of merit.

• The Austrian Cross of Honour for Arts and Sciences.